Training future engineers

THE sustainable Highlands Highway investment programme (SHHIP), co-financed by the Asian Development Bank, is not only developing critical transport infrastructure.
The project is also training the next generation of civil engineers who will continue to connect communities for decades to come.
Maclayia Au and Rosemary Enoka are graduate trainee engineers from the University of Technology of Papua New Guinea who are currently working on the highway in Goroka, Eastern Highlands.
Both young professionals talk with pride about how they intend to use their careers to improve rural communities’ access to basic services.
Au said she had seen firsthand the importance of good road connectivity for rural communities.
“In 2018, I was responsible for constructing a 7km-long missing link road between the districts of Mt Hagen and Tambul-Nebiliyer, with assistance from Japan,” she said.
“During construction, I witnessed a sick patient being carried on a make-shift stretcher from beyond the end of the project in the attempt to bring her to Mt Hagen General Hospital.
“I was deeply moved witnessing the hardship some communities go through to access basic services.
“That scene inspired me to do more as a professional to assist in nation building through the implementation of critical infrastructure development projects such as SHHIP.”
Enoka also shared some advice for aspiring female engineers in a traditionally male dominated field.
“Becoming a civil engineer is very challenging, so be prepared mentally in entering the workforce,” she said.
“With the ongoing issues on gender inequality, the idea of becoming an engineer is great to prove that we are just as equal as men and are able to engage in male dominated profession too.”
Au agreed, offering her key tip for success.
“My advice to young girls who aspire to become engineers is to work hard,” she said.
“There is no other secret to it.
“Discipline, commitment and dedication to the goal you set will go a long way to you achieving your dream.”